The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-02-04

ing. Mother accused me of rank
neglect since my return from Color>
ado. But | caught sight Of a dis
tracted phantom in the mirror hap
Dily, nv hair, although somewhat
frowsy, bore suggestions of comb
ing.
Governor said Harold gravely.
'let me introduce Mrs. Miner, the
head of this delegation
Now | ought to have bowed in
stately way and said: Madame, /
am hsppy to NJ, ct you and to find
that prison reform aas on its lists
Advocates at once so fair and ca
pable.'
But did not say this. I observed
that Mrs. Miner was a tall, ma
ly lady wish gray hair. Roman
features and pale complexion very
oty lshly dressed in bla k with whit
lace about her throat and wrists. !
observed that her compilations were
mostly eld,rIy, weIlbred, 1astelully
a.tired, self possessed and eminentl\
lady like. At the rear were some
younger women, notably one bru3-
cite with flashing black ewes, wear
lng q broaGbrimmed hat with rich
red plume and brIcaded dark Ted
velvet dress with a profusion of rio
bons. She looked demurely over
tue shoulders @. her companions di-
rectly Into my eyes, and |, but just
returned from such long exile.
amused to feminine proximity, Was
Instantly bereit of vii senses.
l stood irresOiute. Mrs. Miner
also stood a moment hestating Then,
"a | made hallIng movement for
ward, she held cut her gloved hand,
which | shook awkwardIv.
~ ought to be Old friends SAID
[, glancing at Books, who buried
ais head III documents, while his
chair shook s1spicIou>ly, for l was
d miner myself UNTIL
The appallicg reflect on that in
my impersoI alton as Governor all
reference to my Colorado experience
was out OF place, now tipped the re-
mark. | added, to complete the
entence, until became of age
Brooks glanced up wltn agony IN
his face, look which corjured me-
whatever else | did, hy all tie god,
not to profane his identity through
>uch abhorrent puns.
Mrs. Miner introduced her com
pa nous 70 M, Mrs. Griffin, Miss
Mink, Mis-. Qualter,' and she Went
through the grO2p standing LITTLE
aside so as to keep the ladies and
myself in our respective places. |
felt | respiration trIckie over my
GROW as | bowed to Miss Mu;wine,
the brunette. who was the last one
presented. A desperate desire to do
something gallant came over me.
Take seats, ladies'. Sit down.
Er-Harold, where are the chairs?
Bring in the chairs, Sir! The chairs
ought always to be here
Harold winked, put one hand over
his jaws and staggered into the back
room. He did net reappear, but
handed forth the chairs behind the
partly open door without showing
his countenance. Then | heard him
20 cut into the anteroom by way of
The back corridor and became cons
sclDus from the shui1lDng feet that
he Mad masse | all the cIe ks against
the commur icatIng door so that tLey
could ovtrhear my speech.
There were rot chairs enough for
the party, SO | took the chair from
my desk and placed It for Miss Null
zine. renamed standing before
them.
'Mr. Governor, we have come to
ask Your cooperation In ameliorat
ing the con CitiOr Of our ccnvic,s.'
Here was another great opport-
unity, If had kept my head. il
taat paralyzing brunette had not
eyed ,ue 50 steadily, NIGH have
said:
'Ladies, the condition of our con-
vets has long enlisted nay anxious
study. Nothing more stlrs my sy M
ratEiY, nothing seems to me of great
er Importance tlan improvement In
facilities for their comfort and moral
welfare. Any practical measure
which you have matured will com
mand my cordial support
But didn't say that. Instead, l
tepled:
Yes, there is too much Iaxity.
'FhoGp frnnupnt asCaDoC r.n4ip1 mo